Dateline

Office World News, May/Jun 2003

SEARCH ENGINE ANALYSIS YIELDS SURPRISING RESULTS

For those dealers who maintain an e-Commerce website, the results of a recent study prepared by 37 signals may surprise you. The E-Commerce Search Report, a first-of-its-kind report that analyzes search engines and search results at 25 popular e-commerce sites (e.g. Amazon, Apple, Target, L.L. Bean, etc.), shows that retailers still have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to dealing with misspellings, synonyms, hyphenation, plurals, and other real-world search queries.

More than 72 percent of sites tested could not consistently match misspelled search terms with the proper products; more than 68 percent of sites offered minimal or no sorting/filtering options of search result lists; and more than 56 percent failed to handle synonyms and related terms at an acceptable level.

Each of the report's 25 site reviews is presented on its own page in an easy to read and consistent layout. The reviews include six screenshots with commentary, a relative rating score, and "The Bottom Line" that explains what the site is doing well and what can be improved. The report concludes with 22 best practices to help companies deliver a more usable and useful search experience for their customers.

37 Signals designs web sites, conducts usability reviews, and educates people about the real-world advantages of simplicity and clarity online. For information on the report, contact 37signals at www.37signals.com.

ALLIANCE CELEBRATES 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Alliance Rubber Company, manufacturer of rubber bands, paper clips and other small office accessories, has recently celebrated its 80th year in business. Alliance hosted a gettogether at its hot Springs, Arkansas facility that was attended by more than 240 employees from Alliance's three manufacturing and distribution facilities.

Founded by William H. Spencer in 1923, Alliance got its start by convincing local newspapers to hold the paper together with rubber bands and convincing local grocers to use bands to bundle produce. Since then, Alliance has expanded its product line to include mailing and shipping supplies, a Brites line of colorful bands and promotional products.

CANON USA TEAMS UP TO HELP FIND MISSING CHILDREN

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc., PGA Tour golfer Briny Baird and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) have introduced Canon4Kids, a collaborative effort to help locate missing children across America.

Based on U.S. Department of Justice research, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing annually - more than 2,000 each day. One in six children featured in NCMEC's photo-distribution network is found directly by people who see photographs and contact authorities.

For all remaining 2003 tournaments Briny Baird plays in, he will place a photo of a local missing child on his golf bag along with the phone number (1-800-THE-LOST) for people to call if they recognize the child or have any valuable information.

An additional component of Canon4Kids is tied to Baird's performance on the PGA Tour. For each birdie registered by Baird, Canon will donate $100 to NCMEC. Each eagle is worth $250 and $1,000 is donated for every hole-in-one. To date, Baird has scored 100 birdies and three eagles, adding up to $10,750. The 30-year-old Baird ranks 38th on the 2003 PGA Tour and is in the Top 10 for "total birdies."

Canon4Kids was created by Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging and longtime supporter of NCMEC. The children that appear in the Canon4Kids program are selected by NCMEC. Canon4Kids is just one Canon program that creates awareness about child abduction and the need to have updated digital photos of children. Canon's support of NCMEC has contributed to the recovery of 44 missing children in four years. Other programs include raising more than $1 million for NCMEC child recovery programs through the annual Canon Celebrity Golf challenge; creation of advertisements for national newspapers and magazines featuring photos of missing children; donations of digital cameras, scanners and printers to police departments and much more.

"All of these programs are part of our commitment to help NCMEC safely find every missing child," said Kinya Uchida, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The new Canon4Kids program is just one more step to help NCMEC, and we appreciate Briny's involvement and support."